The Jacksonville Jaguars traded defensive back C.J. Henderson to the Carolina Panthers for tight end Dan Arnold and a draft pick. Before the 2021 season began, there were rumors swirling that Henderson could be shopped. Heading into Week 4 of the season, it finally happened. In the move, Jacksonville acquires another offensive weapon and more draft selections. Carolina gets immediate help in the secondary with Jaycee Horn out.
Jacksonville Jaguars Trade C.J. Henderson to Carolina Panthers
The trade moves Henderson, the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, to a new team. In his rookie season, he totaled 36 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception. This season, Henderson played in two games and recorded eight tackles. With Tyson Campbell impressing, moving on from Henderson became a focal point of the potential roster moves.
The new Panthers defensive back joins A.J. Bouye and Rashaan Melvin in the Carolina secondary. Jacksonville in return gets a solid tight end in Arnold and a third-round pick.
What Dan Arnold Brings to the Jaguars
Arnold has caught seven passes through three games for 84 yards. He has averaged 12 yards per catch in 2021. He has also spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. In terms of what he can bring to the team, Arnold could be a viable option in the rotation. James O’Shaughnessy has seven catches for 72 yards on nine targets through three games. Chris Manhertz has caught one pass for 22 yards.
In the tight end rotation, Arnold could see immediate playing time. The Jaguars are getting a versatile pass-catcher that can also block effectively in the run game. Adding a solid playmaker at tight end could help boost the passing game moving forward. The Jaguars acquisition of Arnold could end up as a positive trade.
Moving Forward
The Jaguars sit at 0-3 on the season. The team travels to Cincinnati to face the Bengals on Thursday. Arnold may not play in the game, but expect him to see reps next week. If the team wants to open up the passing game, getting Arnold and the other tight ends the ball is key. It will be interesting to see how well the former Panthers tight end fairs in Jacksonville.
With the lack of contributions from the tight ends, the addition of Arnold could be a key factor in the team’s turnaround. Should he earn the starting role, he could become one of Trevor Lawrence’s top targets. Arnold can also help to open up holes in the running game as a solid blocker. But his pass-catching skills are what will land him more field time. It’s up to the coaching staff to call plays to get him the ball once he officially sees the field as a Jaguar.
Opening up the passing game will only help the offense improve. Trading for a player like Arnold shows that the franchise is committed to making football fun again in Duval. Only time will tell whether the trade was the right move or not for the Jaguars.
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